STEAM
& DIESEL IN THE CHURNET VALLEY 7th JULY 2002 - Part 1
Steam &
Diesel 1960's day on the Churnet Valley Line and, for a change,
I started off at Leekbrook. I arrived early so I had a look round
and was saddened to see the condition of Leekbrook Signal Box.
I know it is only undergrowth and damage is superficial but it
does look tragic.
Even more tragic
is the state of the "main" line from Stoke up to Cauldon
Lowe. This shot, looking down towards Stoke, says it all really!
Eventually, though
dead on time, 33102 arrived with the 11.00 from Froghall
for its reversing operation.
33102 at the
headshunt after detaching from the train.
Having run round
the stock via the loop, the locomotive switches back onto the
running line and reverses onto the train.
The train left
for Cheddleton where I arrived a few minutes later to see a steam
and diesel double header waiting to leave as the 11.47 for Froghall.
The idea was to ride the train to Consall and "explore"
the valley and the S160 plus D8154 would do just fine.
It was a strange
but interesting sound as the S160 opened up with the diesel engine
running in the background. Steam and diesel double heading did
happen on BR lines towards the end of steam in the later 60's
but more often to provide steam heating than power!
I left the train
at Consall and bought a coffee and a sandwich in the buffet car
before descending onto the canal bank to await the return of
the double header. Wrong - it was 68030 such was the theme of
the day where there was different motive power on each train.
Fantastic. 68030 is just leaving here with the 12.15 from Froghall.
Reflections
on the day as the 0-6-0 tank crosses the canal en route for Cheddleton. See part 2 for more..........you know it makes sense.
